Skip to main content
Skip to main navigation
Skip to talk navigation

Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Saved Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Flip

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

1 2 3 4 5

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Secondary education

Private school

119 replies

Looneytune253 · 07/03/2017 07:54

Has anyone ever looked into sending their child to a private school? My daughter is 12 and really not getting what she needs at the local comp. She's extremely intelligent (predicted all 9s and 8s for gcse) and she got one mark from full marks on her y6 sats). Wondering if it would be worth it to apply to a private school for a bursary? Theres an excellent school with an open day next saturday. I'm worried about her fitting in? The school shes in at the minute shes more than the black sheep in class and no one takes their work seriously and are continuously picking on her. We are in talks at the moment about moving classes but they are very reluctant. We also viewed a local technical school (but they have a specialisation in STEM which is what she would need for her future career. This is a free academy but the academic results aren't great. Does anyone have any advice?

OP posts:

Report

JoJoSM2 · 07/03/2017 08:04

Go to the open day and see what you think. Keep in mind that private doesn't mean academic. Are there any grammar schools in your area? That could be another thing to consider.

BeanBabies · 07/03/2017 08:04

I went to an IB private school all my life - yes it's much more challenging and the wealth distribution may make her feel self conscious (some people's families net worth rested in the 100s of millions) but if you think she won't get distracted by that, you should do it.

My school year was £24,000-26,000 each year. It's lucky she is 12 and you're not starting her at 3 or 5 like most. I'm sure you'll find a great private school if that's what you want, but it can be expensive for you and stressful for her. Be 100% sure before committing to it. It's also the added extras which can accumulate costs (ski trips, two week trips to Kenya or Nepal, MUN trips to China) so be sure to ask a lot of questions when seeing schools. All the best!

Looneytune253 · 07/03/2017 08:11

The results for this particular school are actually the top in the region so I'm hoping they could do well for her. Not sure if you meant fees in your post about being expensive, I would def be applying for a bursary and we are under the threshold to recieve a full bursary so it would be resting on that. I understand that the other costs could be large though but we do have some disposable income to manage that. I dont know whether to call them in advance and explain our situation before the open day? I dont think she'll be phased by their comments and she doesnt actually have our local accent (me and her dad does lol) so she may fit in that way.

OP posts:

Looneytune253 · 07/03/2017 08:12

What would you say the difference between the private and the grammar? There is a grammar school too.

OP posts:

BeanBabies · 07/03/2017 08:14

I say call in advance and just get the details for the open day directly from them, it also shows interest and they might remember you, therefore taking some more time to chat to you during the open day. Plus it's always good to get a feel for the people working there - even if it's just over the phone.

Looneytune253 · 07/03/2017 08:21

Do you think I should be open about the circumstances? Sorry i suffer from low self confidence, my daughter doesn't though, but im worried I'm gonna show up and they're going to be looking down their noses at us. I need to do this for my daughter though.

OP posts:

Looneytune253 · 07/03/2017 08:23

I have just looked at the grammar school. They do offer bursaries too but say only for entry into year 7 (and some younger years). Have emailed to see if there are any others open to us though.

OP posts:

LIZS · 07/03/2017 08:23

Do you mean a state grammar or is it another private school? Why did you decide not to sit her for state 11+ if it was an option in your area? Any move now would be dependent on spaces anyway.

merlottime · 07/03/2017 08:24

Are you looking for entry into Y8 or Y9 in September? Y7 and Y9 tend to be the normal entry points, and in my area you would have missed the boat for Y9 for September. That may not be the case where you are, but I would guess that a school is less likely to have spare funds for bursaries for people joining outside of the main entry round (Y8) or a late applicant for Y9; their funds may be already allocated. It's worth trying to ask the admissions team/bursar before you go for the open day.

Seeline · 07/03/2017 08:26

Is it a state grammar or a private school with grammar in its name?
State grammar will be free. Which part of the country are you in?
If you are thinking of the private route, it is worth looking at a couple for comparison - yes they will probably be overwhelming in terms of facilities etc, but try to overlook that and get a feel for the ethos of the school - can you see your DD fitting in there?
As others have said - private doesn't necessarily mean academic, or even good.

LIZS · 07/03/2017 08:27

Yes bursary funds are usually allocated at the traditional entry points, although there may be some set aside for existing pupils whose circumstances change while attending the school. It sounds like a private school which just happens to call itself a grammar, perhaps having developed out of a traditional state grammar, in which case there would be little difference if any between it and another independent day school.

Looneytune253 · 07/03/2017 08:28

Grammar is a private one in the city. Not really usually an option. Just thinking about these now. Shes currently in yr7 so may have to wait till y9?

OP posts:

LIZS · 07/03/2017 08:31

Only if it has a year 9 intake. Otherwise you are looking for an occasional place. If she passed their assessment she could be placed on a waiting list. Worth speaking to the admissions secretary and bursar of each to see what likelihood of a place and any funding is.

Looneytune253 · 07/03/2017 08:31

Dont think theres a state grammar

OP posts:

Looneytune253 · 07/03/2017 08:33

The one that has the open day doesnt state which year groups they offer funding.

OP posts:

Looneytune253 · 07/03/2017 08:34

Im feeling hopeful. I may give them a call today.

OP posts:

BertrandRussell · 07/03/2017 08:35

What are the results at her current school like? Do high achievers do well? If she's predicted 9s (which surprises me a bit, considering the teachers won't have taught the new syllabus in all subjects yet) the school must be confident that they can help her get them.......

BertrandRussell · 07/03/2017 08:36

Sorry, not saying you shoildn't think about moving her-just that you need to think about her current school and what you can do to help her do the best she can there in case moving proves impossible. Full bursaries to private schools are like hen's teeth..........

Looneytune253 · 07/03/2017 08:44

Thank you. The predicted grades are done on a national system apparently. Inputting their sats results and their current standards and gives teachers an idea of where theyll end up. It does sound right for her though she def has that ability. The current school is good enough I just dont think she is in a good learning environment and i dont think the teachers are taking that seriously enough. In her class theyre all messing around and they all seem to turn on her almost continuously.

OP posts:

BertrandRussell · 07/03/2017 08:46

Are they set?

BertrandRussell · 07/03/2017 08:48

Someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think the automated -for want of a better word- system predicts 9s so that must have combeen from ththe school.

How do their high achievers do?

Comingupcabbages · 07/03/2017 08:52

Definitely give it a try, my ds has two friends on full bursaries at private schools (one is a top public school which includes uniform, transport and some trips).

I have two at state and one in private. The fees are 20k a year but the trips are fewer and cheaper than the ones my dc state schools.
It's a bit of a myth in my experience about all the extras.

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Weekly

Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!

Email address

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

Comingupcabbages · 07/03/2017 08:55

Looneytune25 I was a bit perplexed by this predicting system, I asked about it at the latest parents evening. It's the computer program that the teachers didn't seem to understand themselves when I asked

LIZS · 07/03/2017 09:46

I wouldn't worry too much about messing about in year 7. They are still finding their feet, friendships swap around and they haven't been ability grouped or chosen options. If the current school can achieve good results the positive environment is there.

JoJoSM2 · 07/03/2017 10:42

Just go to the open day, have a look round. If you like the look of the school, you can enquirer about bursaries. Make sure you manage your expectations- the school might have already allocated their pot and might not be in a position to offer a full bursary to a new student. They might not have spaces for Y8 either. You'll find out when you're there. And don't let your lack of confidence/ inferiority complex get in the way- it's just a school...

Flip

1 2 3 4 5

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.